The front line had already prepared camps for the reinforcements from Konoha, a loose cluster of tents spread over a patch of flattened ground.
Ninja weren't like ordinary soldiers; they couldn't be packed shoulder to shoulder in neat rows. Privacy was a necessity, not a luxury; both for rest and for keeping their jutsu hidden from curious eyes.
Each tent had a respectful gap from the next, like lone islands in a quiet sea of dirt and grass.
Since Uchiha Gen had been in no particular hurry, trailing lazily at the back of the arriving group, he ended up in the last batch to be assigned.
"Please wait a moment the two of you."
The words drew Kakashi and Rin to a halt. They turned, confused, as Gen strolled up.
"Excuse me?" Kakashi's voice was flat, his one visible eye narrowing slightly.
From behind, they hadn't seen the fan crest on Gen's back. He shifted his stance, letting the light fall on the emblem stitched proudly into his armor.
"A member of the Uchiha clan?" Kakashi's tone shifted.
"Hello."
Rin smiled warmly, and Kakashi offered a polite nod. "Hello."
Gen returned the greeting with an easy smile, his gaze lingering briefly on Rin before drifting to Kakashi.
Poor girl… her fate was sealed the moment Obito fell for her.
The thought was as bitter as it was familiar. He'd considered the cold logic before, killing Rin early to prevent Obito from witnessing her death. Without that trauma, perhaps Obito's path would never twist so violently.
But the risks were endless. Kakashi, Minato, Obito himself — all would hunt the truth to the ends of the world. And Madara… Madara would not forgive anyone who meddled with his designs.
Blood ties meant little. Obito was Madara's distant kin, yet that hadn't spared him from being manipulated into a pawn.
Gen was technically a distant cousin as well — older by only half a month, but older nonetheless — and with Madara's personality, that wouldn't buy him any mercy.
And there were other dangers. In a world of strange and ancient jutsu, destroying a body wasn't always the end. Souls could be bound, bodies remade, wills twisted. To make it permanent, Rin's soul would have to be devoured. That was a cruelty even Gen hesitated to embrace; she'd have no rest, no Pure Land, no chance of resurrection.
Cruel or not, it was all moot. He couldn't find a safe opportunity. Madara would have White Zetsu watching her, maybe even more than one. They could be anywhere in this camp. With his current power, he couldn't detect them, let alone erase them.
And self-sacrifice? That wasn't in his nature. He put his own life first — always.
"Why are you staring at me?"
Kakashi's voice broke his thoughts. The silver-haired boy's brow was furrowed now.
Gen blinked, then answered seriously, "Your left eye… it's the Sharingan, isn't it?"
Kakashi's hand rose instinctively to touch his covered eye. "Yes."
"Do you know the rules about bloodline limits?"
Both Kakashi and Rin stiffened.
"You're here to take it back?" Rin asked, her voice tight.
"This eye was Obito's gift," Kakashi said sharply. "I will not return it."
Gen's lips curved into a faint smile. "You misunderstand. I'm not here to take it. I'm here to warn you — if you want to keep it, you should start planning now."
Their tension eased slightly, though worry still lingered.
"Why?" Kakashi asked, the suspicion still there.
"Because Obito is my distant cousin — and a hero of Konoha. His wishes should be honored." Gen's tone was mild, but deliberate.
"Do you have a solution?" Rin asked quickly, bowing slightly in thanks.
Gen inclined his head. "The Third Hokage has said the next Hokage will be chosen soon. After Kannabi Bridge, Minato-sensei is a strong candidate. Even if he isn't chosen, he'll hold high office."
He glanced between them. "If he negotiates with my clan, I believe we'd reach a deal. Perhaps in exchange for placing another Uchiha on your team."
Kakashi and Rin exchanged a look. The idea of someone replacing Obito sat poorly with them, but they couldn't deny the logic. It would keep the Sharingan in Kakashi's possession, and Minato would gain the clan's support, perhaps even enough to secure the Hokage's seat.
"You want to join Team 7?" Kakashi asked, his tone probing.
"I wouldn't mind," Gen admitted, "but I'm not the only candidate. There's Uchiha Itachi, the young clan head's eldest son. Uchiha Shisui is already famous in Kirigakure's war. Either would be an asset."
It was true. A ninja couldn't work alone forever, and Minato's team would offer more opportunities than most. But if it didn't happen, there were always other ways forward.
"Your name?" Kakashi asked.
"Uchiha Gen."
"Thank you for the warning," Rin said. "We should go."
Gen stepped aside, letting them pass, and ducked into his tent. Inside, he closed the flap, released Shuryu, and returned to his studies of fire chakra. the nature change, the endless variations in heat and flow.
The form came easily to him; with his mental precision, shaping fire was second nature.
Meanwhile, Kakashi and Rin made their way back to Minato's tent. When his paperwork was finished and the aides had left, they relayed Gen's proposal.
Minato listened in thoughtful silence, then nodded. "It's a sound compromise. The real question is whether you can accept a new teammate in Obito's place."
"If you can," he continued, "I'll assign Uchiha Gen to your squad on a trial basis. If not… I'll ensure Obito's gift remains protected."
Kakashi glanced at Rin. "Your call."
Rin thought of Gen's calm demeanor, his unexpected courtesy, and though she didn't say it aloud, the way his presence might make their missions easier.
"Obito's place can never be replaced," she said finally. "But an extra comrade would help us complete our missions."
Kakashi considered it, then nodded. "She's right."
Minato smiled. "Then it's settled. Uchiha Gen will join Team 7... for now."